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Alternatives · VPNs

Private Internet Access alternatives

Private Internet Access compared with 11 alternatives: NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, Proton VPN, Mullvad VPN and 6 more.

Private Internet Access is a paid product, starting at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal). 3 of the 11 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 5 more offer a free trial.

11 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Private Internet AccessThis toolFrom $47.88/yrNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
NordVPNFree trial · from $139.08/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
SurfsharkFree trial · from $79/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
CyberGhostFree trial · from $56.94/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Proton VPNFree plan · from $83.88/yrYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Mullvad VPNFrom €5/moNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
ExpressVPNFree trial · from $99.95/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
hide.meFree plan · from $2.69/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
IPVanishFree trial · from $99.99/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Mozilla VPNFrom $59.88/yrNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
PureVPNFrom $47.95/yrNomacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
WindscribeFree plan · from $3/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

Price against what you get

Private Internet Access starts at $3.99 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 11 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

NordVPN and Surfshark score higher without starting lower. hide.me and Windscribe start lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

C2.0B3.0A4.0$1$2$5$10$20More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessPrivate Internet Acce…NordVPNSurfsharkCyberGhostMullvad VPNExpressVPNhide.meIPVanishMozilla VPNPureVPN

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of VPNs, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Private Internet Access

  1. NordVPN

    Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links

    • NordVPN starts at $139.08 per year at renewal (Basic 1-year plan). Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Households covering up to 10 devices on one account

    NordVPN vs Private Internet AccessNordVPN pricing and details

  2. Surfshark

    VPN with no device limit, sold alone or in security bundles

    • Surfshark starts at $79 per year at renewal (Starter), after a first 27 months for $67.23. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Households with more devices than a capped VPN allows

    Surfshark vs Private Internet AccessSurfshark pricing and details

  3. CyberGhost

    VPN for seven devices with a 45-day money-back window on long plans

    • CyberGhost starts at $56.94 per year at renewal, after a first 26 months for $56.94. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Trying a VPN on a computer for a day without entering a card

    CyberGhost vs Private Internet AccessCyberGhost pricing and details

  4. Proton VPN

    Open-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap

    • Proton VPN starts at $83.88 per year at renewal (VPN Plus), after a first year for $53.88. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Proton VPN has a free plan. Private Internet Access does not.

    Suits: Trying a VPN for free without a data cap

    Proton VPN vs Private Internet AccessProton VPN pricing and details

  5. Mullvad VPN

    Flat-rate Swedish VPN with anonymous numbered accounts

    • Mullvad VPN starts at €5 per month, the same rate for any length paid ahead. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Only Private Internet Access lists a browser extension.

    Suits: People who want a VPN account with no email or name attached

    Mullvad VPN vs Private Internet AccessMullvad VPN pricing and details

  6. ExpressVPN

    VPN with its own Lightway protocol, sold in three yearly tiers

    • ExpressVPN starts at $99.95 per year at renewal (Basic), after a first 15 months for $74.85. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want a VPN with apps for routers and TVs as well as computers

    ExpressVPN vs Private Internet AccessExpressVPN pricing and details

  7. hide.me

    Malaysia-based VPN with a no-signup free plan and flat renewal prices

    • hide.me starts at $2.69 per month, billed $69.99 every 26 months at the same price on renewal. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • hide.me has a free plan. Private Internet Access does not.
    • Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want a free VPN without creating an account

    hide.me vs Private Internet Accesshide.me pricing and details

  8. IPVanish

    Ziff Davis-owned VPN with no device cap and antivirus on higher plans

    • IPVanish starts at $99.99 per year at renewal (Essential), after a first 2 years for $52.56. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Only Private Internet Access lists a browser extension.
    • Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Households with more devices than a capped VPN allows

    IPVanish vs Private Internet AccessIPVanish pricing and details

  9. Mozilla VPN

    Firefox maker's WireGuard VPN, run on Mullvad's servers

    • Mozilla VPN starts at $59.88 per year (Annual plan, $4.99 a month), plus tax. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).

    Suits: Firefox users who want per-site VPN rules in the browser

    Mozilla VPN vs Private Internet AccessMozilla VPN pricing and details

  10. PureVPN

    VPN sold in three tiers that add a password manager and data removal

    • PureVPN starts at $47.95 per year at renewal (Standard), after a first 27 months for $58.20. Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.
    • PureVPN also covers password manager.

    Suits: Households that need a VPN on up to 10 devices

    PureVPN vs Private Internet AccessPureVPN pricing and details

  11. Windscribe

    VPN with a 10GB free plan and pay-per-location pricing

    • Windscribe starts at $3 per month for 3 locations (Build A Plan). Private Internet Access starts at $47.88 per year (1 Year plan, the same price at renewal).
    • Windscribe has a free plan. Private Internet Access does not.

    Suits: Light users who can live within 10GB a month for free

    Windscribe vs Private Internet AccessWindscribe pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Private Internet Access

  • The 3-year plan's $2.03 a month is a first-term rate; it renews at $79 every 3 years, and the page gives no total for the first 39 months.
  • There is no free trial; the 30-day money-back guarantee is for new subscribers, and app store purchases follow Apple's or Google's refund terms.
  • Antivirus and a dedicated IP cost extra and are added at checkout; their prices are not shown on the plans page.
Private Internet Access pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Private Internet Access?

The alternatives to Private Internet Access in this directory are NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, Proton VPN, Mullvad VPN, ExpressVPN, hide.me, IPVanish, Mozilla VPN, PureVPN and Windscribe. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Private Internet Access.

Is there a free alternative to Private Internet Access?

Yes. Proton VPN, hide.me and Windscribe have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.